Production of dimethyl carbonate from ethylene carbonate and methanol using immobilized ionic liquids on MCM-41

Ionic liquids on ordered mesoporous silica were prepared and their catalytic performance in the synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) was investigated. The ionic liquids were immobilized on chloropropyl-functionalized MCM-41 (CP-MS41) through the quaternization of trialkylamines. The supported ionic liquids were proven to be an effective heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of DMC from transesterification of ethylene carbonate (EC) with methanol. The immobilized quaternary ammonium salt (QCl-MS41) catalysts with longer alkyl chains showed higher EC conversion and turnover number (TON). Higher temperatures and longer reaction times were favorable for the reactivity of QCl-MS41. However, carbon dioxide pressure showed a maximum for catalytic activity. The catalyst can be reused for reactions in up to three consecutive runs with only a slight decrease in catalytic activity.